Bastian thinks low oil worth $5B to DAL
 

Found this on MarketWatch:

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Delta Air Lines (DAL: 7.97, +0.01, +0.1%) could see a $5 billion benefit in 2009 if oil remains at around $50 a barrel, said Ed Bastian, the company's president. In a Tuesday meeting with analysts in New York, Bastian said the rapid decline in fuel prices have more than offset a decline in passenger numbers and the slower revenue growth that followed. With oil prices most recently around $50 a barrel, passenger revenue would have to decline more than 20% to lose the cost benefit of cheaper fuel, and not even the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, were able to do that, he said. For 2008, post-merger Delta will have paid $100 a barrel equivalent for jet fuel. Shares of Delta was up 3.5% in premarket trading to $8.24

Let's hope they are actively hedging. Hard to see oil going much lower but the upside is unknown.

I hope the credit market is good enough to give them the loans they need. If I was CEO I'd be taking out all the loans I could and purchasing oil at this $48-$50 range. Seriously it can't last like this for too long.

No point in hedging right now unless it starts to up.

Understand. But the markets are proving that anything can move 10-20% in two days. I realize that as long as it stays constant there is no need to do anything. However, if the constant moves, it could move to $65 quickly and higher after that. IMO, to do nothing could mean $1 billion in savings disappears overnight. Future savings could evaporate as well. The downside is if oil falls another $20. The upside is much greater savings. We'll have to see.

Oil is where it is because of rabid market deterioration across the world economies. Due to other currencies starting to fall the dollar is gaining value again as well. As soon as there's a large spike in the DOW you'll see a large jump in the price of oil. Hedging is only a loss if oil keeps dropping. Maybe down to lower $40s but unless the world really goes into the poop shoot I don't see that happening. This is just one great reaction to the peak in July. Things will turn around.

DAL now has alot of cash on hand if it really wants to hedge regardless of credit which we have also.

I think it was bastian who recently said that as soon as it looks like it will head back up they will pull the trigger on re-hedging.

Here's a positive report on Delta from today's Business Week online. There will be some bumps here in the short term but should be positioned well for the long term. Hopefully I'll be able to keep my job and enjoy it.

Focus Stock: Should Delta Be on Your Radar?

S—P thinks the airline can leverage cost savings from its merger with Northwest and ranks the shares strong buy

By Jim Corridore

We view Delta Air Lines as the best positioned U.S. airline to take advantage of the industry environment entering 2009. Overall, we think the industry as a whole is likely to benefit from a sharp pullback in the price of oil and the resulting decline in jet fuel costs since late July 2008. We also believe the industry has already moved to pull down domestic seat capacity, which should allow supply and demand to remain in balance despite the expected decline in air travel demand that we see resulting from the global economic recession.
On top of the positive trends, we anticipate affecting the overall industry in 2009, we think Delta should be able to leverage its recently closed merger with Northwest Airlines to achieve cost and revenue synergies, allowing it to outperform U.S. industry peers financially over the next few years.
Investors clearly have been spooked by the overall stock market woes, worries about the economy, and concerns about the impact of both on the outlook for air travel demand. Year to date through Nov. 28, the S—P Airline subindustry index declined 29.1%, vs. a 39.0% decline in the S—P 500 over that same period. Year to date through Nov. 28, Delta shares were down about 41%.
In our view, investors initially pushed airline stocks down on worries related to oil prices, which closed at a high of $147.27 a barrel on July 11, 2008. Since then, oil has dropped about 64%, to $53, but airline stocks have not seen the benefit. Instead, we believe investors moved on to new worries about the U.S. and global economy, the housing, financial, and stock-market meltdown as well as the potential impact of those issues on air travel.
We think investors are discounting a worse impact on air travel demand than we expect and are not properly factoring in the lower-cost environment we see from the large and rapid drop in the price of oil. Specific to Delta, we believe investors are not properly appreciating the potential benefits of the Northwest merger. In our view, the shares, ranked 5 STARS (strong buy), provide a compelling opportunity for potential capital appreciation over the next 12 months.

COMPANY OVERVIEW
On Oct. 29, 2008, hours after receiving final approval from U.S. regulators, Delta Air Lines reshaped the U.S. airline industry by completing its merger with Northwest Airlines. This merger created the largest airline in the world, with an estimated $32 billion in annual revenues as a starting base. Internationally, the deal merges a carrier with a major presence in trans-Pacific flights (Northwest) with another that is strong on trans-Atlantic routes (Delta). The combined operation, operating from hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, and Tokyo, serves 375 destinations in 66 countries throughout the world and carries more than 170 million passengers annually. The combined operation will continue to operate under the Delta brand name.
We expect the combined entity to have strong liquidity and end 2008 with total cash of about $6 billion, which we see as more than adequate to fund operations and pay debt obligations and interest expense over the next two years.
We estimate that the new Delta will have an U.S. industry market share of about 23%, surpassing AMR's (AMR) American Airlines, which we estimate has 18% of the U.S. market. Stand-alone Delta had an estimated 13.5% share of the U.S. industry, while Northwest totaled nearly 9.5%. The company has noted that of more than 1,000 city-pairs operated by the two carriers prior to the merger, only 12 were served by both Delta and Northwest. Since there is so very little route overlap, the combined company is unlikely to cannibalize much, if any, of its own market share, and could actually expand share becaue of a better combined route network. This provides the opportunity to allow destinations for customers to markets they previously could not reach with either carrier.
We think the merger made sense given Delta's strong presence in the trans-Atlantic market and Northwest's strength in the Pacific. Also, as mentioned above, there is very little overlap among domestic routes, and the carriers have both already shed a great deal of debt and costs through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, although we still see the opportunity to cut underperforming routes and wring costs out of the system though consolidation. We think the combined entity will be able to increase its market share of business travelers and could have improved pricing power. Delta targets combined revenue and cost synergies of about $2 billion once the integration is compete, a goal we think is easily achievable.
There is little commonality among the Delta and Northwest fleet types, which should raise the complexity of the maintenance, spare parts, and training programs. In addition, Delta's decision not to eliminate hubs or routes ties its hands somewhat in its ability to cut costs, in our view. Also, we think both of these issues will be addressed over time, as Delta is likely to streamline the number of fleets it operates, and as ongoing capacity reductions should eventually drive the need for fewer domestic hubs, particularly in the Northwest U.S. Prior to the merger, Delta had already eliminated 4,400 positions and had trimmed domestic capacity about 12%-14%, and we expect more cuts to come over the next year.

EARNINGS OUTLOOK
For 2009, we forecast total revenues at the combined Delta will rise to about $36 billion. We see domestic capacity down about 13%, overall capacity down about 6%, and yields up about 8% with passenger load factor (the average percentage of seats filled) falling fractionally. We anticipate increases in revenues from cargo and ancillary revenues, due to increased cargo rates and the addition of fees for first and second checked bags as well as increased fees for reservations changes, phone reservations, and other services.
We see fuel costs falling to about 31% of total revenues, from an estimated 32% in 2008. Though we think the price of jet fuel is likely to drop some 50% if oil prices hold near current levels, and see fuel burn for the combined company dropping about 5%, part of this benefit is being offset by some out of the money fuel hedges that Delta entered into when oil was sharply higher. These will work off as 2009 progresses, but this offsets part of the gain from lower fuel costs.
We think opportunities exist for cost cuts in the areas of salaries, contract carrier arrangements (regional feed capacity, where Delta has been focused on getting improved contracts), and passenger service, as Delta works to combine operations. We see maintenance expenses rising as a percentage of revenues because of the increased complexity of operating a more diverse fleet.
Overall, we estimate earnings at the combined new Delta of $2.00 a share in 2009. We see a 49¢ loss for Delta as a stand-alone operating company for 2008 (excluding reorganization, asset impairment, and other one-time items). Delta recently came out with unaudited pro forma combined financials which show a year-to-date loss of $15.13 a share for the combined company for the first nine months of 2008, including $11.7 billion in reorganization and one-time restructuring and impairment charges.

VALUATION
Delta shares were recently trading at an Enterprise Value to-EBITDAR (that is, EBITDA plus aircraft rent) multiple of 3.2 times our 2009 EBITDAR estimate of about $3.4 billion. This is slightly below the average EV/EBITDAR multiple of the group of nine U.S. major airlines we cover, based on our 2009 EBITDAR estimates for these companies.
Our 12-month target price of $15 values the stock at an EV/EBITDAR multiple of about 4.5 times our 2009 EBITDAR estimate. This compares to an average EV/EBITDAR multiple of about 3.3 times our 2009 EBITDAR estimates for a peer group of nine major U.S. airlines we cover (including Delta). We think Delta deserves to trade at a premium to peers, reflecting Delta's position as the largest U.S. and largest global airline as well as the potential we see for revenue and cost synergies related to the merger.
We like to use EV/EBITDAR rather than EV/EBITDA since adding back aircraft rent makes for a more homogeneous comparison between those airlines that lease planes (aircraft rent) and those that mortgage them (depreciation and interest expense). Most airlines have a combination of the two in varying degrees.
We also think a potential expansion in the valuation for DAL and the airline group as a whole, as reflected by somewhat higher EV/EBITDAR multiples, is possible over the next year, as investors come to understand the positive factors impacting the industry, and look for companies likely to benefit from a lower oil cost environment. We believe that if Delta is able to execute its merger integration well, investors could reward the stock with an above-peers multiple, which we view as deserved.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We view the company's overall corporate governance practices positively. Following the merger, the company has separate positions of chairman and CEO and the position of chairman of the board is a non-executive position. The board is also made up of a majority of independent directors. All members of the audit and compensation committees are independent directors. On the negative side, we think share ownership of Delta stock by executives and directors could be higher.

INVESTMENT RISKS
Airline stocks are generally much more volatile than the overall market, and for that reason, they are likely to carry a much higher risk profile than many stocks. Risks include the possibility that oil prices start to move back up toward record levels seen just a few months ago, that the downturn in the U.S. and global economy leads to a steeper drop in travel demand than we are expecting, and that price competition re-emerges in the industry which would lead to a decline in average airfares.
Delta also faces risks related to the integration of its merger with Northwest. The company could ultimately be unsuccessful in getting the cost and revenue synergies it predicts and the integration could move slower and be more costly than we thought. While we do not expect Delta will need to access capital markets due to what we see as a high cash level and only moderate cash usage expected for 2009, it may have difficulty tapping additional liquidity if needed due to the state of the financial markets.
Corridore follows airline stocks for Standard & Poor's Equity Research .

Yes but in todays market cash is king. You don't want to run through your stockpile. While they now have a lot of cash on hand they also have an arm and a leg's worth of debt. If they burn through their cash pile and things go down hill they'll need those reserves and quickly. With the market where it is interest rates are at a low enough point where taking a loan against their cash on hand keeps their money working for them and allows them to still stock up on oil. There's no such thing as too much hedging in today's market. It's time they bust out a few ink pens and hedge like it's going out of style. Every last dime they can get their hands on needs to be rolling out their door. We know they are now in the black zone. Hedge hedge hedge.

A week or so ago when I was in Tokyo I read a very interesting yet sobering article in a business oriented newspaper (can't remember the name of it but the paper was written in British English - not Financial Times).

The gist of the article was that the current rise in the value of the US dollar is very temporary at best. The dollar rose simply because it's still the currency of choice in the times of crisis, however the author who's also a senior currency trader in London, predicted that a year or so from now we won't see a decline but rather a major collapse of the dollar. :eek:

I was surprised to read that but he basically implied that once the astronomical levels of the new bailout debt sink in, combined with the staggering national debt we already have and the Obama's pro-spending "any and all" job creation drive (including more government jobs :() - the floor will simply fall from underneath us.

I was surprised to read that because I felt that the US dollar has been one tiny beacon of hope as of lately, however if he's right then the beacon of hope won't last much longer.

I hope he's wrong but in the prelude to the article it was explained that in the past he'd correctly predicted major currency devaluations such as the British pound, Italian lira, Korean Won, etc, etc.

One thing that I have learned from reading all of these foreign economist is this. They all hope for the demise of the dollar and America in general. I do not get to worked up over it.

The dollar is in relation to the world around it. The world, especially china, is screwed currently. They are still getting worse. The value of the dollar might fluctuate but not like this guy is thinking. That's my opinion of course. If we believed what these guys said we'd be sitting at $200 oil.

Forex markets can be extremely volatile and therefore hard to predict. A global recession is the current reason for the flight to the Dollar. The Dollar (treasury securities) are always seen as the safest bet in a struggling economy. As a global recovery begins, you may see a sell off of Dollars, but barring high amounts of speculation, hopefully we will see only a slight slide of the dollar.

As for commodities like our favorite, crude oil... a realistic price increase will hopefully only see oil double into next summer (if that) from current prices (assuming we are in a recovery at that point). It is hard to believe that $148 oil was driven by anything other than speculation in the commodities futures. :rolleyes:

Toiletduck nailed it when saying Cash is King in today's market... Just ask the executives of AIG, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Citibank, etc, etc... Tough for an airline company to survive without being able to service short term debt and simple obligations like paying pilots... :D

I see, since they're 'foreign' economists it means they all must hope for America's demise, right? I'm sorry acl65 but that's total nonsense.
Numerous US economists view America of today in worst terms than many foreign economists. No one hopes for the demise of the dollar as it would hurt many businesses around the world; a slow, very gradual currency appreciation or depreciation is what most economists prefer.

When someone has a bearish view on the US dollar because of the huge amount of debt we have as a nation, he/she is simply expressing his view on the subject. After all, the author of the article was doing currency trading for a living.

To say he and others like him simply wish America's demise is a pretty close-minded way of looking at things. Maybe I misunderstood your comment but at least that's how I took it.

I hope you're right, a collapse of the US dollar would in my opinion hurt our economy worst than the current recession we're experiencing...

The collapse of the US dollar would lead to a collapse of currency across the world.

Which one?

He wasn't predicting the dollar would disappear but rather collapse in the terms of value. I've seen with my own eyes what an overnight 30% devaluation can do to a country's economy and his article scared me because basically that's what he's predicting - not a slow but rather a sudden drop in the dollar's value.

All of them. Things don't happen overnight. Every country in the world operates in sync with one another. Part of one big equation. China is going first:o

Our current unipolarity will remain with the US being a hegemon for some time. The importance of the US on the world economy will continue to decrease and coming to that realization will be difficult for many. We may encounter a system of multipolarity in the future but I still think it's a long way off.

AL

It's true the US has been losing "market share" with the world since the 80s. This was actually done on purpose. At some point you need to have people to trade with or you won't have anything at all. By helping other countries develop and utilize their natural resources the US has been directly responsible for global growth and civilization advancement. Overtime is almost guaranteed that things will continue to equal out more and currencies will balance out. However don't think one of them can just plummet without sending ripples across everyone else. Even a massive drop in another foreign currency could hurt the US with all of it's international interest. One of the advantages of globalization is that it keeps the developed countries on the same page. If any of those countries were to go it'd be felt across the board.

True. The theory is that with globalization, peaks and troughs will be further reaching around the world but they should be "shallower". Of course, the current situation is the result of many additional factors. It's all about global north nations. Global south nations are too far behind.

If there's one thing the US needs right now it's a new administration.

AL

That's right, Messiah will save us... :rolleyes:

Well, somebody has to. We all know the current administration isn't doing it.

That's right, Barney Frank and his Acorn Brown Shirts will surely do it trick - the people who caused the housing collapse which spilled over into the rest of the economy will now save us from it, brilliant.

I’m all for giving “The One” a chance to prove himself however, the blame goes to both sides of this equation not just one.

Put your faith in Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Waxman, Rangel, Daschle, et al. and you may find yourself, and the rest of the country (insanely rich liberals not included), curled up in the fetal position and crying for Mommy in a few short months.

Have you looked around lately? I think we're already there. :rolleyes:

What a bunch of CRAP. The current administration, just like Reagan, has spent more money and ran up more national debt than any so called tax and spend liberal democrat since WW2. Just the facts, ma'am. On whose watch did this market collapse happen?:p

I thought Congress controlled the purse strings. Its been a Democrat congress for the last two years.

Not true. Check out the spending of LBJ. Look at the economy under Carter.
And. per my earlier post, Congress controls the spending, not the pres. Its been a Dem congress since '06. Looks like they're the ones "under whose watch" this happened.

Just the facts. :D

And the segue from Bastian on oil prices to Congress continues............

So...............you don't think so?

You're wishing it was possible to have Dubya for another term for more of the same?

AL :rolleyes:

I think I've heard that quote before. Oh yeah, during every freakin commercial break for the past two months.

THE ELECTION IS OVER. LETS MOVE ON.

Thread closure in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

-Fatty

I didn't like either of the two contenders however I am willing to give The One a chance to prove himself.

Having said that, I think it's wrong to blame one side of the equation when both were just as guilty. Don't forget the Democrats have been controlling the purse for the last 2 years.
Also the Fannie Mae fiasco was a true display of the leftist 'political correctness' run amok - "everyone deserves a house" has now become "everyone deserves a bailout" or is it "we need a bailout for the Wall Street AND the Main Street"?

You started this thread creep by saying: "...If there's one thing the US needs right now it's a new administration..."

My point is if you're gonna blame someone blame both sides please.

Crude Oil closed down to $46 a barrel today and I see the futures trading on the NYMEX down AGAIN! What a great tax break for the consumer as we head into the holidays! I think most commodity experts I have listened to recently do not see it going under $40-$42 a barrel. Seems like the same speculators that drove the price to $148 are now on the short side of crude oil. ;)

Oil prices waver on skimpy inventory report - Oil & energy- msnbc.com

Are these the same commodity experts that didn't see any possible reason for oil to go above $80 a barrel? Or $100 a barrel? :-)

Good point... :rolleyes:, but similar to the housing market, speculators ran the price to a level that was not indicative of true supply and demand. Maybe they will run oil down to $20 a barrel... Who knows? :D

Still a nice little tax break for me and you for the holidays! :D

If you think this is as bad as it can get--or even close--I've got some prime oceanfront property in Arizona you might be interested in...:eek:

Will you throw the Golden Gate in free? :D

Wait a second..........I hope McCain isn't selling some of his property now is he?????:p:D

The congress is going to need a lot more time than 2 years to turn this train wreck around....

U.S. National Debt Graph: $10T+

again....just the facts